Ron Oliver of Mamie Taylor's: Down in the West End, the Bayside Lounge is the perfect secret bar because you don't know anyone there so it's always a good place to misbehave. What to drink? Something with Blue Curaçao.

Bittered Sling and Uva's Lauren Mote: So, The Morrissey has a 16 cocktail list, yeah, I helped them with that, but you can go any time of the day until 2 or 3 in the morning and have kick ass cocktails and listen to incredible music - it’s always amazing. The room is totally weird-looking, it’s all red and black and old-school. I’d have a Betty Monster, with a pint of Guinness on the side and a shot of Jamesons. I like to have three drinks at one time.

Jay Jones: When I want to hide from the world and have some of the best drinks and hospitality in the city...I head to the Irish Heather, weave my way past the crowded front room and through the passageway behind, sneaking into The Shebeen Whisk(e)y House. Barman Randy Gaudreau oversees one of the finest and most extensive Whisk(e)y collections in the city; with humble character and honest care.

Robyn Gray from PiDGiN: It's a little off the beaten path but they are one of our neighbours here in Gastown and they have a really great rum selection, the most of any bar in the city and they make amazing cocktails. Try the Dark and Stormy there which they make with house-made ginger beer - it's to die for.

Donnie Wheeler, self-styled "guerrilla bartender" says: Check out the Union Bar, a barman like no other Arthur Wynne minds the stick there. It's southeast Asian/South Pacific in its mindset. Fresh, fresh, fresh ingredients are their forte; it often looks like an Asian farmers market behind the bar. The Phuket Coconut Spritzer is wonderful - its "slap in the face/ then reach around" balance makes me crave one just thinking about it, but it's the staff and Arthur that seal the deal everytime.

The Keefer's Dani Tatarin: I first discovered this place when I moved to Vancouver almost 12 years ago as a brunch place - they have awesome Mint Juleps...but I quickly learned they were open late and also have a great night atmosphere, drinks, spirit selection and live music. They are on Granville & 14th so it's a bit out of my East Van/Chinatown bubble but I love it.

Sean Hewlett from Bambudda: This was the first Vancouver bar to serve an exclusively gin menu and they have a full punch programme too. It's a tucked-away little gem of a place where I first had a Pimm's Cup. Oh! And it is one of the best spots in the city for Valentine's Day.

Grant Sceney from the Fairmont Pacific Rim: The Shameful Tiki Room is typically not within my normal cocktail circuit but I love going there when I can venture out to Main and 28th. There really isn’t anything like it in the city, from the moment you walk in, it’s as they say ‘a bygone tiki era experience’. It’s a great small intimately lit room with a good selection of tropical rum cocktails and tapas. If you’re feeling adventurous, I suggest ordering the ‘the mystery bowl’.